SURIGAO DEL NORTE, September 27, 2023 – Assisting small-scale farmers to engage in commercial pineapple plantations in Siargao Island, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program funded the Pineapple Production Project for the 32 members of  Abad Santos Farmers Association (ASFA) in Santa Monica.

Under SAAD Phase 2, the group from Barangay Abad Santos received 15,000 planting materials, fertilizers (complete, muriate of potash), farm tools and equipment (digging bar, bolo, knapsack sprayer), vegetable seeds, and complementary training. Including one unit of multi-cultivator and biofertilizers that are yet to be delivered, the project totaled Php 1,594,004.

Results of the Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) conducted by the program implementers in March revealed that ASFA members were interested in pineapple production considering their experience with the commodity, some of which already have backyard plantations. 

However, the group needed more in-depth technical knowledge about the commodity, thus, the Program conducted a pineapple production training on June 8-9, tackling varieties fit in the country, soil and climatic requirements, planting materials for propagation, considerations for land preparation and planting, nutrition and fertilization, and harvesting. 

Resource Person Mr. Junbille A. Consigna of the Provincial Agriculture Office also discussed management of pests and diseases, which the group reported as major threats experienced in their backyard plantation.

From the said training, the group also outlined a calendar of activities for their 0.3 hectares communal production, indicating land preparation schedule, planting dates from June 18 to July 3, regular weeding, and projected harvest date by the 3rd Quarter of 2024. 

Mr. Samuel Juntilo, FA Vice-President, expressed gratitude for the project they secured.

“Marajaw ang taghimo sa SAAD, sa pagtabang sa among mga panginahanglanon. Dako gyud ni nga tabang sa SAAD sa amoa ug sa barangay,” said Mr. Juntilo.

[What the SAAD Program provides is a big help to the needs of farmers. We were organized because of this project, which is beneficial to the farmers and the barangay.]

The group plans to sell their first harvest in bulk and save 50% of their income for operational expenses and the other 50% for sharing among members. In the years to come, with the commercial pineapple plantation sustained, the group also considers making jams to establish a Community-based Enterprise, as has been the end goal of the Program. ###

Writer: Mark Angelo Pineda, DA-SAAD Caraga Information Officer